I went to JoAnn’s wake to get some apparel fabric and while I was waiting for the cutting table, I saw this shirred double gauze. I couldn’t pass it up, might go back for more, who knows?
Anyway, I started with two yards and an idea. I knew I didn’t want the shirring in the bodice, so I looked through my pattern stash for a bodice to make this thing into a dress. Only caveat being that I had scarcely a yard of 42" wide fabric to sew the top with.
I found this pattern, McCall’s 7757, and read the online reviews for it. Yikes. Had to deepen the armscye and redraw each piece.
I cut the front bodice in two pieces, adding a seam allowance in the middle so that I could use a drawstring instead of elastic - an idea I got from a cute dress I saw on Pinterest. The muslin drawstring is just a place holder for the navy blue flat cording I ordered. Overall, I’m really happy with how it turned out. It’s so comfy, looks cute with the sleeves on or off the shoulder, and it has pockets! The skirt does weigh down the waist shirring a bit more than I care for, but an elasticated belt fixed that. This is the first garment I’ve (mostly) completed in my grand scheme of sewing a Summer Capsule Wardrobe, and it’s wearable! Winning!
I love it to bits! What a great project and it looks so good. I’d wear that in a heartbeat. Also, nice adjustments to the pattern!
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AIMR
(Linda -In the year 2025, I am happy to be alive! :us:)
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It’s one of those dresses that can be dressed up or down. Love it more casual with the jacket and tan belt. It would be lovely with one of your hand knit cardigans or a light spring sweater. Great job on doing adjustments to suit you and what you had. That is one wonderful thing about sewing your own…you can adapt and make it fit well and be unique for you!
Such a pretty dress! I love how you made all the alterations to the pattern for the top to make it work just right for you. And the styling options you’ve already come up with really show how versatile this dress is.
This is lovely! My experience altering patterns is minimal but I find it intimidating! So seeing what you accomplished here kind of makes my jaw hang slack….
There is nothing like making exactly the piece you want, though!!
My drawstring arrived today and it reeks of chemicals. It’s going back. Buying craft supplies online…not my favorite.
I had to cut a couple inches off the hem, so I just used that to make a drawstring. It has a seam in the middle, which might make it less sturdy, but I ran out of options. It looks great, though.
Oh, sunny day! Your wonderful craft is one of this week’s Featured Projects!